Comparison of post-mortem vitreous fluid and blood glucose levels in diabetes-induced rabbit models

Diabetes is a common systemic disease in the world. Acute complications of diabetes may cause sudden unexpected deaths. Analysis done in vitreous fluid which is more protected and less contaminated by bacteria comparing to blood will produce more accurate results.

Thus, we aimed to diagnose diabetes by comparing glucose levels of post mortem blood and vitreous fluid in death cases.

A total of 17 New Zealand-type rabbits were divided into hyperglycemia (8), hypoglycemia (8), and control group (1). Rabbits were monitored for 5 days after experimental diabetes induction, and samples were taken at the point of death. Later rabbits were left in their environment, and samples were taken again at the post mortem first day. Mean blood glucose levels of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia group were in diabetic range.

Blood glucose levels of hyperglycemic rabbits were measured as 512 ± 52,1 mg/dl, while vitreous glucose levels were 518,3 ± 76,8 mg/dl at the point of death. After one day, levels were measured as 433,9 ± 59,3 mg/dl and 329,8 ± 86,6 mg/dl. Blood glucose levels of hypoglycemic rabbits were measured as 39 ± 3,8 mg/dl, while vitreous glucose levels were 53,4 ± 13,9 mg/dl at the point of death. After one day, levels were measured as 36 ± 4,2 mg/dl and 1,6 ± 0,6 mg/dl. After analysis, there was a statistically significant difference between day 0 and 1 vitreous levels of hypoglycemia group.

It can be clearly seen that vitreous fluid samples should be taken in judicial cases with sudden unexpected deaths like diabetes. This will contribute to identification cause of death.